2015 Native American $1 Coin Design Candidates

Design candidates for the 2015 Native American $1 Coins have been released by the United States Mint. Twenty different images have been unveiled with each one depicting a design emblematic of the theme, "Mohawk Iron Workers."

Artists created these designs at the request of the U.S. Mint. They are now subjected to a selection process that will lead to one of them chosen as the final design for the 2015 coin. This selection process will include reviews by both the Citizen’s Coinage Advisory Committee and the United States Commission of Fine Arts. Based on their recommendations along with those of U.S. Mint officials, the Treasury Secretary will make a final design selection. It is possible that slight changes may be made to the winning design.

The Mohawk Iron Workers theme is the latest in a series of annually changing reverses going back to 2009. The series celebrates the important contributions made by Indian tribes and individual Native Americans to the history and development of the United States, and it was authorized by the Native American $1 Coin Act, Public Law 110-82.

Mohawk Iron Workers describe the Mohawk people who helped construct skyscrapers and bridges throughout the United States. Their iron worker history dates back to the 1880’s when they labored to build a bridge over the St. Lawrence River. Their work ethic and sure footing demonstrated on that bridge gained them a respected reputation which has led to generations of Mohawk Iron Workers.

Previous Native American $1 Coins showcased the following themes:

2009 – Three Sisters Agriculture

2010 – Great Tree of Peace and the Iroquois Confederacy

2011 – Great Wampanoag Nation

2012 – Trade Routes

2013 – Treaty with the Delawares

The unveiling of the 2015 design candidates comes just a few days before this year’s 2014 Native American $1 Coins are due for release and sale to the public in rolls, bags and boxes. Launching on March 20, the 2014 Native American $1 Coin features a reverse commemorating the native hospitality that helped to insure the success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Release details will be available on CoinNews.net in a later article.

Design Candidates for 2015 Native American $1 Coins

Below are line art images for all 20 candidate designs. Note that the candidates start at number two since a number one was not released to the public.

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-02 shows two Mohawk Iron Workers exchanging a wrench with one sitting on an iron beam and the other dangling from a hoist

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-03 offers a close-up of an iron worker with a representation of what appears to be Empire State Building behind him

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-04 shows a single iron worker navigating an iron beam with a stylized city skyline in the distance

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-05 shows construction in progress with a Mohawk worker up close and two workers up on the beams

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-06 also shows construction in progress with one worker about to grab the hook from a crane and one balancing on the beams above

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-07 shows a downward looking view of a worker along with the beam he is standing on and the scene underneath

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-08 depicts four different Mohawk Iron Workers with two shown close-up and two on the beams behind

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-09 has a single worker straddling a beam as it hangs from a crane. A cityscape can be seen in the background

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-10 has a worker reaching for a cable and hook from a crane

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-11 is nearly identical to design 10 with the exception of different placements of the crane cable and inscriptions

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-12 also offers a worker reaching for a cable and hook but shows a towering beam behind

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-13 includes a vast city landscape below a high-rise worker as he attempts to guide a beam into place

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-14 shows a worker sitting on a beam and resting his foot on the hook of a crane

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-15 is similar to design 14 with the position of the inscriptions changed

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-16 shows an iron worker in full garb with one knee resting on a beam and his left hand gripping a line

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-17 has a worker attaching a line to a crane hook. Behind, a woven Native American tapestry can be seen

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-18 also offers a Native American tapestry with a close-up of an individual’s gloved hand and a crane hook

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-19 offers a worker in the process of riveting a beam

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-20 has one individual standing on a beam and one straddling it. MOHAWK IRON WORKERS is lettered into the beam.

Design Candidate 2015-NA-R-21 depicts the back of an iron worker as he stands and looks off into the distance

Share news:

11

Leave a Reply

11Comment threads

0Thread replies

0Followers

Most reacted comment

Hottest comment thread

10Comment authors

Recent comment authors

Subscribe

Notify of

Guest

Steve Richman

#70875

Many of these are good but most iron workers do not wear their safety helmets facing forward. Choice 2015-NA-R-18 Represents the whole Confederacy. That would be my choice. 09 and 19 come in a tie at second.

Reply

4 years ago

Guest

JP

#70883

Most of these just don’t seem to have a good connection to the Indian theme.
I guess my pick would be 13 as I think it will have a very good 3-D effect and a good depiction of the high rise steel worker.
Next would be either 18 (best Indian theme, then 14).
I say go back to the drawing board…

Reply

4 years ago

Guest

verna jones

#70894

Nice! Maybe “native american ironworkers” there were plenty of other natives from other nations traveling n building America on the iron. Hundreds of families will agree

Reply

4 years ago

Guest

B,Isaac

#70940

I like the one with the Eagle Feather in the back, his knee on the Beam, 2015 NA-R-16. I’m sure OSHA had their rules about wearing the helmet……but everyone has heard about the Indian Iron Workers and I am Proud to say I am Indian, just not MOHAWK, but they rock….

Reply

4 years ago

Guest

Mikey

#71000

I think 2015-NA-R-17 and 2015-NA-R-18 are the best!!

Reply

4 years ago

Guest

Jo-Ann Blanco-Russell

#71004

I like modt all ov the. Were the Mohawk the lonly nation to fo this? I watched a series on steelworkers in NYC and most of them were Mohawk. I also noted they wore tbeir helmets backwards on the shows. When can we order these?

Reply

4 years ago

Guest

Steve Danay

#71174

When will these be available??

Reply

4 years ago

Guest

BOB WILLARD

#74920

i like the fact the Gov is honouring the Mohawk and iron workers, however no Mohawk would wear his Eagle feathers at work, Mohawks wear 3 verticle feathers, not two in the downward position. the Eagle feather are sacred and are well kept
thank you

Reply

4 years ago

Guest

John

#119793

Without feathers, its just another worker?
Poor concept. Maybe nobody will buy and a sleeper lurks

Reply

4 years ago

Guest

Tekarihwayenhne Bomberry

#121735

I like 13 because Mohawk Ironworker is bigger and stands out over the united states of america lettering. Would be awesome to see it spelled Kanienkahake and the guy to have 3 feathers like on the kastowah.

Reply

4 years ago

Guest

Tekarihwayenhne Bomberry

#121736

I mean 15 !!! not 13.
and i like the ones with the wampum belt too
if i had my way it’d be 15 with my above suggestions and the wampum belt in there lol